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Guidance: Key stage 2 tests: applying for a review of pupils’ test results

Standards Testing Agency

June 15
16:30 2023

Schools can make review applications using the View and download KS2 test results form in the Available activity section of the Primary Assessment Gateway (PAG). The form will be available from 7:30am Tuesday 11 July 2023 until the deadline, 11:59pm Friday 21 July 2023.

A marking review is successful and free of charge to the school if it results in one or more of the following:

  • a change to a pupils status from not achieving the expected standard to achieving the expected standard
  • a change to the pupils status from the pupil meeting the expected standard to not meeting the expected standard
  • 2 or more marks are added to or subtracted from the raw score
  • a correction of a code due to supplier error

A raw score to scaled score calculator will be available within the View and download KS2 test results form. Schools can use this when deciding whether to apply for a review. It will calculate what effect a change to the total raw score has on the scaled score awarded. Test materials and mark schemes are available on the practice materials collection page.

A clerical review is successful and free of change to the school if it results in one or more of the following:

  • a correction of a test marked on paper, such as correcting any errors in the addition of the marks
  • matching a test script previously matched to an incorrect pupil to the correct pupil
  • a correction of a code on the attendance register

We will only accept review applications made by schools that are authorised by the headteacher or a delegated senior member of staff. We will not accept applications from pupils, parents or governors.

Types of review

Marking review query

Schools can apply for a marking review for as many pupils as required if they consider there is a discrepancy between how the questions have been marked and the published mark scheme. We recommend that schools only submit a review application if the criteria for a successful review is met.

Marking reviews can only be completed where a pupil has had a result for a paper. Where pupils have compensatory marks for GPS Paper 2, schools can still apply for a review for GPS Paper 1.

If a pupils test script is lost by our suppliers for English grammar, punctuation and spelling or mathematics, schools can still apply for a review for the remaining pupils test scripts for that subject. For example, if a pupils mathematics Paper 1 is lost, a review can still be requested for the pupils mathematics Papers 2 and 3.

Schools should be aware that, as a result of a marking review, a pupils raw score and scaled score could go up or down.

Clerical review query

Schools can apply for a clerical review if:

  • a test marked on paper has an error, such as an incorrect addition of the marks awarded
  • a test script has been matched to the wrong pupil
  • there is an error on the school attendance register for example, an attendance code needs to be corrected

Changes to attendance registers can only be made where there is a genuine error - for example, if a pupil has taken a test and their script has been sent for marking, their school cannot request that the attendance register is changed to indicate that the pupil was working below the standard of the test (marked as B).

Schools should be aware that, as a result of a clerical review, a pupils raw score and scaled score could go up or down.

Charges

The table below sets out the charges for a review if it doesnt meet the successful criteria outlined above:

Type of review When charges would apply Cost per pupil, per subject
Marking review The review does not result in a change to the pupil achieving the expected standard, the pupil not meeting the expected standard, or a total raw score change by fewer than 2 marks 9
Clerical review The review does not correct a test script matched to the wrong pupil or produces no change to the raw score or scaled score, or the assigned code for why the pupil has not taken the test 5

Where charges are applicable, our supplier, Capita, will invoice your school through the Outstanding activity section on the PAG once the review process is complete. Your schools account manager will receive an email notification when your review invoice is available.

Applying for a review

Schools should read this guidance in full before requesting a marking or clerical review on the PAG.

Schools can request a review using the View and download KS2 test results form in the Available activity section and selecting the test subject. Reviews must be submitted for each pupil and each subject individually. To do this, use the Request button in the review column next to the relevant pupils outcome.

On the application form, schools must select whether the request is for a clerical or marking review.

For a clerical review, schools must:

  • select a reason from the drop-down list
  • provide more information about the reason for the request
  • provide up to two alternative contacts for any application queries during the summer holidays
  • select Submit

For a marking review, schools must:

  • provide more information, which must include the reason for the review for each paper / question. Please use the following format to enable the review marker to understand and respond to your concerns: Paper {insert which paper if applicable} / Question {insert question number} {insert comment}
  • provide up to two alternative contacts for any application queries during the summer holidays
  • select Submit

Schools cannot apply for a marking or clerical review if the school:

  • believes the pupil has provided an acceptable response, but that response is not within the published mark scheme
  • has not submitted the request during the published 10-day window

The PAG generates an automated email confirming that the review has been submitted and can be amended up to the deadline of 11:59pm on Friday 21 July 2023.

Providing contact details is essential as our supplier may need to resolve queries with your school. If they cannot make contact to resolve queries during the review marking period over the school summer holidays, applications may be rejected.

The review process

During a marking review, we check all test papers for the pupil, for the subject, to make sure that the original application of the mark scheme was accurate and no clerical errors were made. For example, for mathematics, we review mark Paper 1: arithmetic, Paper 2: reasoning and Paper 3: reasoning.

A panel of experienced supervisory markers, who have achieved the highest quality marking standards throughout the marking period, complete review marking. Review markers are supervised and their work is sampled to ensure that the mark scheme for the subject they are reviewing is applied correctly and marking quality is maintained. If review markers do not apply the mark scheme as required, or do not adhere to the review procedures, they will be stopped from review marking. In this situation, any review marking they have carried out will be reviewed again by another review marker.

Marks may be awarded or deducted following the review of a pupils test papers. As a result, a review can lead to an increase or decrease of the raw score, which may affect the scaled score and the achievement of the expected standard.

Tests marked on screen

Test scripts marked on screen will be reviewed on screen. However, if there are any difficulties review marking a script on screen, it will be review marked on paper.

Tests marked on paper

We mark the following tests on paper:

  • all braille, braille transcriptions, enlarged print and modified large print versions of the tests
  • test scripts that could not be scanned for on-screen marking for example, due to the condition of the test scripts

You must indicate whether you are applying for a marking review or clerical review. A marking review for tests marked on paper also includes a clerical review of the addition of marks.

If you apply for a review for any test scripts which were marked on paper these must be returned to Capita to enable a review. Schools can arrange a marking review script collection by contacting the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013.

Schools must ensure the original marked test scripts are ready for collection as agreed with Capita. We will not accept copies. If schools do not have scripts ready for the agreed collection, it will be the schools resp

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